The trust that runs the Cumberland Infirmary has confirmed it is working with the health and safety regulator over a number of issues.

The Cumberland News contacted the Health and Safety Executive after being made aware of concerns raised by at least one nurse and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

The nurse - who served on the frontline against coronavirus at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle - shared an email sent to the regulator in April raising concerns about using expired PPE while working with Covid-19 positive patients.

A spokesman for the regulator replied: “The HSE is looking into a number of matters relevant to the North Cumbria Integrated Trust and the Cumberland Infirmary”.

The spokesman said he was unable to comment further at this time as enquiries were ongoing.

A statement from the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “We work with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a matter of routine and seek advice on matters relating to employee safety.

“As would be expected of any responsible organisation, we have been liaising closely with HSE during this unprecedented time in relation to issues concerning to the [coronavirus] pandemic.

“We continue to seek their advice and guidance in order to have reassurance that we are doing all we can to keep our employees safe.”

The HSE is also routinely called upon to investigate all circumstances following the death of hospital staff members.

Two nurses have died at the Cumberland Infirmary as a result of Covid-19.